At the Bar

Papa's Potion

By Scott Hocker

Published: June 23, 2008

Talk about on-the-job training. When Pizzaiolo chef-owner Charlie Hallowell decided to take advantage of his Oakland restaurant’s liquor license, he handed the task of developing the drinks to Journey Meadows, who had little experience with cocktails.

But, from looking at the bar’s well-curated collection of boutique spirits and her impeccable drink list, you’d think she was a longtime expert.The first cocktail on her list is often a daiquiri. Think not of Bacardi and a whirring blender, though. The daiquiris made by Meadows, a cocktail purist and rum fanatic, are direct descendants of the simple, original versions made with rum and lime. “Rum is pretty misunderstood,” she says. “We usually think of it in mojitos and rum and cokes. But, rum has so much complexity and variety.”

To prove her point, she stocks the restaurant’s small bar with 12 rums from such locales as Bermuda and the French Caribbean islands. Though the featured daiquiri changes regularly and might feature an aged rum like Pampero from Venezuela, her version of the classic Hemingway daiquiri often holds the slot. Meadows builds the bright, complex drink with either Haitian Barbancourt white rum or one of her personal favorites, La Favorite agricole rum from Martinique—made from sugar cane rather than molasses. To that she adds maraschino liqueur along with lime and grapefruit juices.

Papa might never have imagined his drink of choice would be served alongside a nettle pizza on a busy stretch of Oakland’s Telegraph Avenue. But we doubt he’d complain.

Hemingway Daiquiri

Pour the rum, citrus juices, Luxardo, and cane syrup into a tumbler. Fill tumbler with ice. Shake well (but not too vigorously) for 10 seconds. Strain twice (Meadows uses a fine-mesh strainer), the second time into a martini glass. Garnish with a grapefruit twist.

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Faces

During the fifth annual Celebrate John Muir Health gala, more than 700 guests gathered at the Concord Jet Center at Buchanan Field and enjoyed cocktails,
a stellar dinner, music, dancing, and a live auction. The sold-out, outer space–themed party raised a record $2.25 million to support John Muir Health’s neurosciences services.

The Redford Center held its inaugural benefit at August Hall in San Francisco, honoring rapper Jaden Smith with The Robert Redford Award for his environmental activism. After the ceremony, guests enjoyed libations, bites, and a performance by actor Sean Hayes—raising more than $275,000 for the environmental nonprofit.

Common Sense, one of the nation’s leading technology nonprofits, held its 15th annual celebration at San Francisco City Hall. The night consisted of a cocktail reception and a sit-down awards dinner that recognized the visionary policy-makers, educators, and media creators—including Oakland native and Black Panther writer-director Ryan Coogler—who are helping children thrive in the digital world.

Pledge to Humanity hosted its 10th annual fundraising gala at the Round Hill Country Club in Alamo, bringing in more than $300,000 for the nonprofit’s local and international programs that empower young change-makers to participate in service opportunities. The soiree featured a cocktail reception with hors d’oeuvres, a multicourse dinner, live and silent auctions, and dancing.

Approximately 150 gardening aficionados came together at the Hilton Concord to support the Ruth Bancroft Garden in Walnut Creek and raised $72,000 over the course of the evening. Attendees were treated to dinner, drinks, auctions, and a magic show. Walnut Creek Councilmember Cindy Silva was honored with the Golden Barrel Award for Philanthropy on behalf of the garden.

Oakland’s Chabot Space and Science Center transformed into a magical, mysterious wonderland for its annual gala, which raised more than $240,000 for science education. The evening featured specialty cocktails, a multicourse
dinner, a live auction, and a Halloween-themed after-party.

Approximately 1,400 people participated in the annual family-friendly fundraiser at Pleasant Hill Middle School, which featured an array of activities—including mini golf, carnival games, face painting, and a pumpkin patch—as well as food trucks, music, and dancing. Proceeds benefited the Down Syndrome Connection of the Bay Area, which has provided vital programs, resources, and support for individuals with Down syndrome for 20 years.

In celebration of its popular November food issue, Diablo magazine hosted its 15th annual culinary extravaganza, which brought in nearly $4,000 for the Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano. Guests came together in Walnut Creek’s Broadway Plaza to enjoy mouthwatering fare from top East Bay restaurants; pours from numerous wineries, breweries, and distilleries; and DJ beats.

East Bay arts supporters found themselves in good spirits at this fundraiser for the Lamorinda Arts Council, as they sampled more than 20 craft cocktails created by local bartenders vying for the Audience Favorite, Art of Staging, Top Amateur, and Mixologist of the Year awards. The cocktail tasting and competition took place at Orinda Theatre Square and raised more than $10,000.

More than 120 guests joined Contra Costa Oncology for a Mexican-
themed bash at Rotator Taproom in Walnut Creek, raising nearly $5,000 for the Cancer Support Community San Francisco Bay Area. Attendees noshed on tasty bites from the Madd Mex Cantina food truck, sipped micheladas and beer, and donned mustaches in honor of Movember—an annual multinational event that encourages men to grow mustaches to raise awareness of men’s health issues.

Metallica and Janet Jackson headlined the ninth annual benefit concert for UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospitals. Thousands attended the performances at Bill Graham Civic Auditorium and Civic Center Plaza as well as the pre- and post-show parties in San Francisco City Hall, raising $10 million for medical research.